Refrigerating apparatus



J. G. KENG Oct. 27, 1931.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Nav 30, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. G. KINGGet. 27, 1931 REPRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed .Nov.. 30, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JESSE G.KING, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO FBIGIDAIRECORPORATION, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE REFBIGERATING APPARATUSApplication filed November 30, 1927. Serial No. 236,719.

chanically refrigerated cabinets.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved refrigeratingmeans adapted for use especially in large display counter refri eratorsor the like, which will maintain a su stantially uniform temperaturethroughout the length of the cabinet. The invention contemplatesproviding a refrigerating means which is arranged and constructed tocompensate for heat leakage, which is greater in some parts of thecabinet than others, and by such compensation tends to maintain an eventemperature throughout the cabinet.

In the present invention a hold-over, such as a brine solution, isutilized in connection with the refrigerating means and another objectof the invention is to provide for the ready transfer of heat units fromthe holdover to the refrigerating means.

Further objects and advantages of the resent invention will be apparentfrom the ollowing description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawin wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a top view of the improved refri rating element of theinvention in brodfen separated form 5' Fig. 2 represents a side viewthereof;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the element;

Fig. 4 illustrates a display counter refrigerator equipped with theimproved refrigerating element;

Fig. 5 is a side View in section of the display counter;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the refrigerating element within a hold-overtank, the tank being shown in section; and

Fig. 7 shows a plurality of refrigerating elements disposed with ahold-over tank.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the refrigerating element comprisesa header 10 shown complete in Fig. 6 but in broken separated arrangementin Figs. 1 and 2 which serves as a container for refrigerating mediumwhich may, for example, be 1i uid sulphur dioxide. This header is use todistribute the refrigerant to pipes or ducts hereinafter described. Therefrigerating medium is led into the header by a pipe 11 and isconducted away therefrom above the liquid level in the header by a pipe12. A suitable fioat'valve 13 (Fig. 6) is used to control the flow ofrefrigerant to the header and adapted to maintain, a constant level ofliquid in the header.

A series of heat transfer devices herein shown as refrigerantcirculating ducts or pipes which are formed of a plurality of loops ofpipe are connected to the header in parallel circuit relation, as shownin the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2. These loops extend outwardly into ahold-over tank hereinafter described and serve to cool the same. Fourloo s are shown and indicated as 100 s 15, 16, 1 and 18. Each loop,respective y, is provided with an outwardly extending portion, 15, 16,17 and 18, which incline downwardly (see Fig. 6) and each loop includes,respectively, portions 15", 16 17 and 18*, which are inclined atsubstantially the same angle as the first portions of the respectiveloops but are located in a lower plane and offset laterally from thefirst 0rtion. These inclined portions of each oop are connected,respectively, by loop portions 15, 16, 17 and 18. The upper ends of theinclined portions are connected to the end of the header 10 and belowthe liquid level in the header (see Fig. 6). By inclinin the loops asshown the possibility of obtaining a trap in the loop portion when theheader is accidentally placed in a position tilting upwardly toward theright end of element (as viewed in Fig. 6) is minimized, also such1nclining provides for a more natural and therefore a more ready flow ofthe refrigerant.

The loops are arranged to be placed in a brine tank 20 while, as apreferred embodiment, the header is arranged exteriorly of the tank. Theend of the tank adjacent the header is open and is secured in a suitablemanner on a flange 21 of the brine tank. In case it is desirable toutilize two refrigerating elements, both ends of the tank are en, as

shown in Fig. 7. A fin 22 is suita ly secured, as by soldering,alonginclined portions of each duct and since these fins are immersed in thebrine within the tank, they provide for the ready transfer of heat unitsfrom the brine to the loops and extend vertically whereby thecirculating brine passes over same, which arran ement materiallyincreases such heat trans er.

It is apparent from the foregoing that refrigerating means has beenprovided for cooling a relatively long, narrow chamber such as a displacounter, shown in Figs. 4. and 5. This display counter includes an heatinsulated chamber 23 provided with a glass front 24 and glass doors 25.The brine tank is installed adjacent but spaced from the back wall andbottom wall for the circulation of air thereabout. The/brine tank ispreferably rectangular in contour and the top side provides a shelf forfoods which can rest on the cold tank and thereby be maintainedrelatively cold compared with foodstuffs placed'more remote from thetank.

Since heat leaka e into the box, along the lengths of therefrigerating'means, is greater adjacent the ends of the cabinet, Icompensate for this heat leakage by disposing the colder part of therefrigerating means, namely, the header, adjacent the ends of thecabinet and in this manner maintain a substantially uniform temperaturethroughout the length of the cabinet.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other .formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Refrigerating means for mechanically refrigerated cabinets comprisinga brine tank having an opening in an end wall, a header disposedexternally to said brine tank and attached to an end wall thereof andproviding a cover for said opening, refrigerant circulating ducts withinsaid brine tank and connected to said header.

2. Refrigerating means for mechanically refrigerated cabinets comprisinga brine tank having an opening in an end Wall, a header disposedexternally to said brine tank and attached to an end wall thereof andproviding a cover for said opening, refrigerant circulating ducts withinsaid brine tank and'connected to said header, said ducts being providedwith fins attached in good thermal contact with said ducts.

3.-In combination, an elongated cabinet for stores or the like having anelongated storage compartment, a brine tank extending longitudinally ofthe storage compartment, refrigerating means including headers disposedexternal of the opposite ends of the brine tank and duct means connectedwith the refrigerated cabinets comprising a brine tank having an openingin an end wall, a cooling unitineluding a reservoir adapted to containliquid refrigerant, refrigerant conveying duct means connected to oneend of the reservoir and extending through said opening, and means onsaid end of the reservoir for attaching the reservoir tosaid brine tankand for-:

providing a cover for said opening.

6. Refrigerating means for mechanically refrigerated cabinets comprisingan elongated brine tank having an opening in an end wall, a cooling unitincluding a reservoir adapted to contain a quantity of liquidrefrigerant, refrigerant conveying duct means connected with thereservoir and extending longitudinally of the brine tank, said ductmeans extending through the opening in the end wall and said reservoirbeing connected extlelriorly of the-brine tank and to said end W3 7.Refrigerating means for mechanically refrigerated cabinets comprising anelongat ed brine tank having an opening in an end wall, a-cooling unitincluding an elongated reservoir adapted to contain a quantity of liquidrefrigerant, refrigerant conveying duct means connected with an end ofthe reservoir and extending longitudinally thereof and longitudinally ofthe brine tank, said duct means extending through the opening in the endwall and said reservoir having the said end thereof connected to saidopen end wall of the tank.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

JESSE G. KING.

